Board of Selectmen race possible as Somerset Town Election season nears

The Town Election season will begin with the start of the new year, with nomination forms for candidates available on Jan. 3.

Already, there may be a race for Board of Selectmen. Chairman William Meehan’s term is expiring, and David Correira, a former moderator and School Committee member, has said he plans to run. Meehan hasn’t decided whether he will seek re-election.

By Grant Welker

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

By Grant Welker

Posted Dec. 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 29, 2011 at 2:17 AM

By Grant Welker

Posted Dec. 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 29, 2011 at 2:17 AM

SOMERSET

» Social News

The Town Election season will begin with the start of the new year, with nomination forms for candidates available on Jan. 3.

Already, there may be a race for Board of Selectmen. Chairman William Meehan’s term is expiring, and David Correira, a former moderator and School Committee member, has said he plans to run. Meehan hasn’t decided whether he will seek re-election.

Meehan, a 65-year-old salesman currently out of work, said this week he is looking to spend more time with his family but hasn’t made up his mind on whether he will try for another term.

Asked how long he’s been on the board, he wasn’t sure. According to the town clerk’s office, he was first elected in 1994 and served three consecutive terms until he was defeated in 2003 by Steven Moniz. Meehan ran against Moniz again three years later and won, and has served five three-year terms in all.

Correira, who has been a vocal presence at many Town Meetings, said he plans to take out nomination forms as soon as they are available Tuesday morning. Though he hasn’t served for the town in the past 10 years, he said he wants to join the Board of Selectmen partly out of opposition to initiatives like a plan to build solar panels to town-owned farmland on Wilbur Avenue.

The 53-year-old lawyer said a priority if elected would also be to ensure the Brayton Point power plant is properly valuated and assessed now that its tax agreement with the town has expired.

In all, 10 seats will be available for the May 14 election.

The following officials, in addition to Meehan, have expiring terms: School Committee member Victor Machado, Somerset Berkley School Committee member Julie Ramos Gagliardi, Assessor Marc Dionne, Water and Sewer Commissioner Steve Rivard, library trustees David Cucinotta and Elizabeth Langfield, Playground and Recreation commissioner John Toulan, and Housing Authority Commissioner Thomas Potter.

A one-year term will also be available on the Water and Sewer Commission after member Charles Fisher resigned.

Nomination forms may be picked up in the town clerk’s office until the end of the day on Thursday, March 22. Papers must be returned with certified signatures of registered voters by March 26.

The deadline for residents to register to vote will be Wednesday, April 25.